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Elbow bursitis can be quite painful, and it can keep you from doing both activities you love and activities you need to complete. If you have been trying to manage the condition with exercises, injections, and rest — but you're still in debilitating pain — your doctor may now be recommending surgery. Here is what you need to know about having surgery to correct elbow bursitis.
The surgery will likely be performed at an orthopedic surgery center.
Elbow bursitis surgery is considered an orthopedic surgery. This class of surgery includes any procedures performed on bones, ligaments, tendons, and connective tissues. In this case, the procedure will be performed on the bursa — the fluid-filled sac that cushions your elbow joint and that has become inflamed. Orthopedic surgery centers are usually located outside of hospitals, and they are staffed by orthopedic surgeons and nurses who specialize in orthopedics. Your doctor should refer you to an orthopedic surgeon who has experience operating on patients with elbow bursitis. You'll need to call, schedule a consultation, and then schedule your surgery.
The surgery is usually done arthoscopically.
The idea of surgery is always a little scary, but surgery to correct elbow bursitis is not nearly as invasive or intense as many orthopedic procedures. These days, orthopedic surgeons usually perform this procedure arthroscopically, which means that will only make a couple of small incisions. They will insert small surgical instruments and a camera through those incisions. Your surgeon will remove the damaged part of your bursa, stitch the remaining tissue back together, and then close your small incisions.
Bursitis surgery is so quick and simple that in many cases, you won't even be put under general anesthesia. Your arm will be numbed with a regional anesthetic, and you'll be given a sedative to make you drowsy.
The recovery process will take about 3 months, in full.
While it will be about 3 months before you are able to use your elbow fully, you should feel mostly better after about 2 weeks. During these first two weeks, you will need to keep your arm elevated while sleeping, apply a lot of ice to the surgical site, and rely on NSAIDs to keep inflammation at bay. After about 2 weeks, you will start attending physical therapy sessions, and you will do exercises that promote healing and help you regain full use of your elbow.
Elbow bursitis can be very painful, but the surgery to treat it is not as involved or complicated as you might think. Talk to an orthopedic surgeon to learn more.
Share21 October 2020
